Information processing apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus obtains image data included in an image file stored in a storage medium of the digital camera and the updated time of the image file stored in the storage medium of the digital camera, and reads out the shooting time of the image data included in the header of the image file stored in the storage medium of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus displays a first view that displays the image data in an order based on the obtained updated time, and a second view that displays the image data included in the image file stored in the storage medium of the information processing apparatus in an order based on the read out shooting time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/354,341,filed Jan. 15, 2009 the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatusthat displays a captured image imported from a camera into theapparatus, a captured image located in a camera, and the like, as wellas to an image display method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the recent spread of digital cameras, the increase in the capacityof storage devices, and so on, it is becoming more and more common forusers to use digital image data to display a large number of images onPC (personal computer) screens, and browse and edit those images.Against this background, various types of image display methods havebeen proposed with the purpose of making the browsing of a large amountof data located in PCs, cameras, and so on more efficient.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-333171 (called “Patent Document 1”hereinafter) can be given as an example of a method for displaying imagedata located within a PC, camera, or the like. In Patent Document 1,when a list of multiple images is displayed using information such astheir shooting dates and times, the image files are sorted using dateand time data considered by the user to be appropriate, selected fromdate and time data recorded within the image file and updated date andtime data of the image file. To be more specific, it is possible to seta priority order for the date and time information used as a key forsorting the image files. Therefore, it is possible for the user topreferentially select, from among the date and time data recorded in theimage files and the updated date and time data of the image files, thedata that she or he feels is appropriate as a key, and sort the imagefiles.

However, typical image display processes, such as that included inPatent Document 1, do not take into consideration the difference inprocessing speeds between the case where image files are received froman external device such as a camera and sorted, and the case where imagefiles within the PC are sorted. For this reason, when using one of thesedates and times for sorting, obtaining the sort results for the imagefiles within the external device tends to require more time thanobtaining the sort results for the image files within the PC. Such adifference in speeds for the sorting processes results in a sense ofunnaturalness of the part of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aninformation processing apparatus capable of communicating with a digitalcamera, the apparatus comprising:

a first obtaining unit that obtains, from the digital camera, firstimage data included in an image file stored in a storage medium of thedigital camera;

a second obtaining unit that obtains, from the digital camera, theupdated time of the image file stored in the storage medium of thedigital camera;

a readout unit that reads out the shooting time of second image data,the shooting time being included in the header of an image file storedin the storage medium of the information processing apparatus; and

a display unit capable of displaying a first view that displays thefirst image data obtained by the first obtaining unit in an order basedon the updated time obtained by the second obtaining unit, and a secondview that displays the second image data included in the image filestored in the storage medium of the information processing apparatus inan order based on the shooting time read out by the readout unit.

Also, according to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a control method for an information processing apparatuscapable of communicating with a digital camera, the method comprising:

a first obtaining step of obtaining, from the digital camera, firstimage data included in an image file stored in a storage medium of thedigital camera;

a second obtaining step of obtaining, from the digital camera, theupdated time of the image file stored in the storage medium of thedigital camera, the updated time being included in a file system of thedigital camera;

a reading step of reading out the shooting time of second image data,the shooting time being included in the header of an image file storedin the storage medium of the information processing apparatus; and

a display step of displaying a first view that displays the first imagedata obtained in the first obtaining step in an order based on theupdated time obtained in the second obtaining step, and a second viewthat displays the second image data included in the image file stored inthe storage medium of the information processing apparatus in an orderbased on the shooting time read out in the reading step.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof a computer serving as an image processing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof a digital camera serving as an electronic imaging device according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration inwhich the computer and the digital camera have been connected to eachother according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of theimage processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for displaying images savedin the computer in a PC view.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of aJPEG file.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a list (sort results) obtained bysorting images displayed in the PC view by shooting date and time.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for displaying images savedin the digital camera in a camera view.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a list (sort results) obtained bysorting images displayed in the camera view by updated date and time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the updated dateand time and the shooting date and time of images saved in the digitalcamera differ.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed in the casewhere the updated date and time and the shooting date and time do notmatch.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another process performed in thecase where the updated date and time and the shooting date and time donot match.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating display processes for the PC viewand the camera view according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of animage processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

(Configuration of Computer)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer100, serving as an example of an information processing apparatus,according to the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 101 refers to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), andcontrols the image processing apparatus.

Reference numeral 102 refers to a RAM (Random Access Memory), and has anarea in which programs, image data, and so on are expanded. The programsexpanded in the RAM 102 are, for example, program code for performingimage display and image processing control, and are executed by the CPU101. The RAM 102 is also used as a working area for the CPU 101, an areafor saving data during error processing, and so on.

Reference numeral 103 refers to a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The HDD 103 canstore various control programs executed by the image processingapparatus, content files such as image files and text files, and so on.Note that the HDD 103 may be a device that is removable from thecomputer 100, or may be a device that is unremovably installed in thecomputer 100.

Reference numeral 104 refers to a removable drive, and is a device thatreads from and writes to an external storage medium. When stored in theexternal storage medium, programs, image data, and the like are loadedinto the RAM 102 via the removable drive 104. Optical disk drives suchas drives for DVD-RWs, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, DVD-RAMS, and so on, drives forflexible disks, drives for magnetic disks such as MOs, drives fornon-volatile memories such as flash memories, and so on are examples ofthe removable drive 104.

Reference numeral 105 refers to a network I/F. Programs, image data, andso on stored in recording devices accessible by connecting to a LAN(Local Area Network), the World Wide Web, and so on are loaded via thisdevice.

Reference numeral 106 refers to a VRAM (Video RAM), and is a memory thatprovides video signals such as image data, UIs (user interfaces) forexecuted programs, and so on.

Reference numeral 107 refers to a display, and performs processing fordisplaying video signals input by the VRAM 106. For example, a CRT(Cathode Ray Tube) display or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) can beused as the display 107. In addition, a display such as an SED(Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display), an EL (ElectroLuminescent) display, or the like may be used.

Reference numeral 108 refers to a sound device that processes, forexample, audio data attached to image data, and transfers the resultantto a speaker.

Reference numeral 109 refers to a keyboard that has various keys forinputting characters and the like.

Reference numeral 110 refers to a pointing device, an example of whichis a mouse. The pointing device 110 controls, for example, a mousepointer displayed on the screen of the display 107 that is used tomanipulate program menus and other objects.

Reference numeral 111 refers to a print device; an inkjet printer, a dyesublimation printer, and the like can be given as examples thereof. Theprint device 111 is used for printing content data, such as images ortext saved in the HDD 103 or loaded from the removable drive 104, onto apaper medium.

Reference numeral 112 refers to a communication interface, enabling thesending and receiving of data to and from external devices. The PTP(Picture Transfer Protocol) standard, for example, is used by thecommunication interface 112.

(Configuration of Electronic Imaging Device (Digital Camera))

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of anelectronic imaging device (digital camera) 200 according to the presentembodiment. In the digital camera 200, an optical image is formed uponan image sensing device 204 via an imaging lens 202 and a shutter 203provided with aperture functionality. The image sensing device 204converts the optical image into an electrical signal, and outputs ananalog signal. A known sensor, such as a CCD or CMOS sensor, can be usedas the image sensing device 204. An A/D converter 205 converts theanalog signal outputted from the image sensing device 204 into a digitalsignal.

A timing generation unit 206 is controlled by a memory control unit 210and a system control unit 215, and supplies clock signals, controlsignals, and so on to the image sensing device 204, the A/D converter205, and a D/A converter 207. An image processing unit 209 performs apredetermined pixel interpolation process, color conversion process, andthe like on digital data from the A/D converter 205 or on data from thememory control unit 210. The image processing unit 209 also performspredetermined computations using the captured image data, and suppliesthe results thereof to the system control unit 215. The system controlunit 215 controls an exposure control unit 216 and a focusing controlunit 217 based on the obtained computation results. A TTL(through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) process, an AE (autoexposure) process,and an EF (flash pre-emission) process are implemented thereby. Theimage processing unit 209 also performs predetermined computations usingthe captured image data, performing a TTL AWB (auto white balance)process based on the results thereof.

The memory control unit 210 controls the A/D converter 205, the timinggeneration unit 206, the image processing unit 209, an image displaymemory 211, the D/A converter 207, a memory 212, and acompression/decompression unit 213. The digital data from the A/Dconverter 205 is written into the image display memory 211 or the memory212 as image data, via the image processing unit 209 and the memorycontrol unit 210, or directly via the memory control unit 210.

The image data written into the image display memory 211 is displayed byan image display unit 208 via the D/A converter 207. The image displayunit 208 is comprised of a TFT, an LCD, or the like. An electronicviewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying capturedimage data using the image display unit 208. The image display unit 208can also have its display turned on and off arbitrarily underinstructions from the system control unit 215. Turning the display ofthe image display unit 208 off can drastically reduce the power consumedby the digital camera 200. Therefore, turning the display of the imagedisplay unit 208 off when shooting using an optical viewfinder 214 makesit possible to save power.

Captured still images, moving images, and so on are stored in the memory212. The memory 212 is provided with a storage capacity sufficient forstoring a predetermined number of still images, a predetermined time'sworth of moving images, and so on. It is thus also possible to quicklywrite large amounts of images into the memory 212, such as duringcontinuous exposures, in which multiple images are shot in sequence,when shooting panoramas, and so on. It is furthermore possible to usethe memory 212 as a work area for the system control unit 215.

The compression/decompression unit 213 compresses and decompresses imagedata using an ADCT (adaptive discrete cosine transform) or the like. Thecompression/decompression unit 213 imports the images stored in thememory 212 and performs a compression process or a decompression processthereon, and then writes the processed data back into the memory 212.

The exposure control unit 216 controls the aperture functionality of theshutter 203, and also implements flash dimmer functionality throughcooperation with a flash 220. The focusing control unit 217 controls thefocusing of the imaging lens 202. A zoom control unit 218 controls thezooming of the imaging lens 202. A barrier control unit 219 controls theoperation of a barrier 201 serving as a protective member. Referencenumber 220 refers to a flash, and has functionality for flooding AFfill-in light, flash dimmer functionality, and so on in addition to thenormal flash functions. The system control unit 215 controls theexposure control unit 216 and the focusing control unit 217 based on theresults of computations performed by the image processing unit 209 onthe captured image data. In this manner, the exposure control unit 216and the focusing control unit 217 are controlled using the TTL system.

The system control unit 215 furthermore controls the entire digitalcamera 200. A memory 223 stores constants, variables, programs and so onused for the operation of the system control unit 215. The memory 223also stores program diagrams used in AE. The “program diagrams” referredto here are tables that define the control value relationships betweenaperture diameters for exposure values and shutter speeds.

A presentation unit 224 presents operational states, messages, and thelike to the user through characters, images, audio, and the like, inaccordance with the execution of a program by the system control unit215. The presentation unit 224 is comprised of a combination of aliquid-crystal display (LCD) or LED, for displaying various information,a speaker (audio-emitting device), and the like, and is provided, so asto be easily recognizable, in single location or multiple locations nearthe operation unit of the digital camera 200. Some of the functions ofthe presentation unit 224 are provided in the optical viewfinder 214.The following are examples of the details displayed by the presentationunit 224 in a display device or the like: a single shot/continuousexposure display; a self-timer display; and a compression rate display.Furthermore, a recorded resolution display, a display showing the numberof recorded images, a display showing the remaining number of imagesthat can be shot, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, anexposure correction display, a flash display, a red-eye reductiondisplay, and a macro shooting display may be included. Finally, a buzzersetting display, a display showing the remaining battery life for aclock, a display showing the remaining battery life, an error display, amulti-digit number information display, a display showing the mountingstate of recording media 250 and 260, a display showing the operation ofthe communication I/F, and a date and time display may also be included.Meanwhile, the following can be given as examples of details displayedby the presentation unit 224 in the optical viewfinder 214: a focusdisplay; an image stabilization notification display; a flash chargedisplay; a shutter speed display; an aperture value display; an exposurecorrection display; and so on.

A non-volatile memory 225 is a memory that can be recorded to anddeleted electrically, and is comprised of, for example, an EEPROM.

A mode dial switch 228, a moving image button 229, and a shutter switch230 make up a user interface by which the user inputs variousoperational instructions into the system control unit 215. Anoperational unit 233 is configured of one or a combination of switches,dials, a touch panel, a pointing function that uses vision detection, avoice recognition device, or the like. The mode dial switch 228 is aswitch for switching between various functional modes, such as poweroff, an automatic shooting mode, a shooting mode, a panoramic shootingmode, a playback mode, a multi-screen playback/delete mode, a PCconnection mode, and so on. The moving image button 229 is a button forinstructing the starting and stopping of moving image recording. Inother words, depressing the moving image button 229 when a moving imageis not being recorded starts the moving image recording, whereasdepressing the moving image button 229 when a moving image is beingrecorded stops the moving image recording.

Reference number 230 refers to a shutter switch (SW1), and is switchedon when a shutter button (not shown) is pressed partway. The systemcontrol unit 215 commences operations such as AF (autofocus) processes,AE (autoexposure) processes, AWB (auto white balance) processes, and EF(flash pre-emission) processes when the shutter switch 230 is turned on.

Reference number 231 is a shutter switch (SW2), and is switched on whena shutter button (not shown) is pressed fully. The system control unit215 executes a series of processes for shooting, or in other words, anexposure process, a development process, and a recording process, whenthe shutter switch 231 is turned on. In the exposure process, a signalread out from the image sensing device 204 is written into the memory212, via the A/D converter 205 and the memory control unit 210, asdigital data. In the development process, the image processing unit 209,the memory control unit 210, and the like perform computations on thedigital data, resulting in the acquisition of digital image data, whichis then written into the memory 212. Finally, in the recording process,image data is record out from the memory 212, compressed by thecompression/decompression unit 213, and then written into the recordingmedium 250 or 260.

A moving image-still image WB switching unit 232 provides a userinterface for setting WB operations for still image shooting duringmoving image shooting. In the present embodiment, a single mode can beselected from among three types of modes, or a color reproductionpriority mode, a moving image priority mode, and a still image prioritymode.

The operational unit 233 is made up of various buttons, a touch panel,and so on. For example, the following buttons are provided: a menubutton; a set button; a macro button; a multi-screen playback pagechange button; a flash settings button; a single shot/continuousshot/self timer switch button; a menu shift + (plus) button; a menushift − (minus) button. Furthermore, a playback image shift + (plus)button, a playback image shift − (minus) button, a shooting qualityselection button, an exposure correction button, and a date/time settingbutton are also provided.

A power control unit 221 is configured of a battery detection circuit, aDC-DC converter, switch circuits for switching the blocks through whichpower passes, and so on. With such a configuration, the power controlunit 221 detects the presence/absence of a battery, the type of battery,and the remaining battery life, controls the DC-DC converter based onthe detection results and instructions from the system control unit 215,and supplies the necessary voltage for the necessary period to thevarious units, including the recording medium.

The power control unit 221 is connected to a power source unit 222 via aconnector 235. Primary batteries such as alkali batteries and lithiumbatteries, secondary batteries such as BNiCd batteries, NiMH batteries,Li batteries, and an AC adapter can be used as the power source unit222.

Interfaces 236 and 237 connect recording media such as memory cards andhard disks to an internal bus. Connectors 238 and 239 are connectorsthat make connections to recording media such as memory cards and harddisks. A recording medium detection unit 234 detects whether or notvarious recording media are mounted to each of the connectors 238 and239.

Note that the present embodiment is described as having twointerface/connector systems with which to mount recording media. Ofcourse, both a single interface/connector system for mounting arecording medium and multiple interface/connector systems for mountingrecording media may be provided. The configuration may provide anynumber of such systems. The configuration may furthermore providecombinations of interfaces and connectors of differing standards. Theconfiguration may further use interfaces and connectors compliant withstandards such as the PCMCIA card standard, the CF (Compact Flash®) cardstandard, and so on.

Moreover, mounting a communication card in the connector 238 or 239makes it possible to exchange image data, management informationattached to the image data, and so on with peripheral devices such asother computers, printers, and so on. Standards such as the PCMCIA cardstandard, the CF (Compact Flash®) card standard, and so on can be givenas examples of the interfaces 236 and 237 and connectors 238 and 239that realize such communication. In addition, LAN cards, modem cards,USB cards, IEEE 1394 cards, P1284 cards, SCSI cards, and PHS can begiven as other examples of communication cards used in such a case.

The barrier 201 prevents an imaging unit, including the imaging lens 202of the digital camera 200, from being soiled or damaged by covering thatimaging unit. The optical viewfinder 214 makes it possible to shootwithout using the electronic viewfinder function provided by the imagedisplay unit 208. In addition, as described above, the opticalviewfinder 214 is provided with some of the functions of thepresentation unit 224, such as, for example, a focus display, an imagestabilization notification display, a flash charge display, a shutterspeed display, an aperture value display, and an exposure correctiondisplay.

A communication unit 226 is provided with various communicationfunctions such as RS-232C, USB, IEEE 1394, P1284, SCSI, modems, LANs,wireless communication, and so on. A connector/antenna 227 is a devicefor connecting the digital camera 200 to another device using thecommunication unit 226, and is a connector when using a hard-wiredconnection and an antenna when using a wireless connection.

The recording media 250 and 260 are memory cards, hard disks, or thelike. The recording media 250 and 260 respectively include thefollowing: recording units 242 and 243, configured of semiconductormemories, magnetic disks, or the like; interfaces 240 and 241,interfacing with the digital camera 200; and the connectors 238 and 239for connecting to the digital camera 200. Note that although therecording media 250 and 260 are described in the present embodiment asbeing devices that are removable from the camera 200, they may also beunremovably installed in the camera 200.

It is assumed, in the above-described hardware configuration, that imagedata is saved in advance in the removable recording medium 250 and/or260. Furthermore, the program that controls this digital camera 200 isstored in the non-volatile memory 225, is expanded in the memory 223,and is executed by the system control unit 215. For example, the systemcontrol unit 215 performs control so that the image data stored in theremovable recording media 250 and 260 is loaded and then played back anddisplayed by the image display unit 208.

Note that although a compact digital camera capable of shooting movingimages is employed as the digital camera 200 in the present embodiment,a digital single-lens reflex camera or the like may be used as well.

(Configuration of Device Connection)

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration inwhich the computer 100 and the digital camera 200 have been connected toeach other according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the computer 100 is as described with reference to FIG. 1.Meanwhile, the electronic imaging device 200 is as described withreference to FIG. 2.

Reference number 301 refers to a communication cable. Any cable may beused as long as it can send and receive data in accordance with PTP. Forexample, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable can be used. Instead of ahard-wired connection, the computer 100 and the digital camera 200 mayalso be connected through a wireless interface compliant with, forexample, IEEE 802.11x (where x is a, b, g, or the like).

The present embodiment employs a scheme in which the communicationinterface 112 of the computer 100 is connected to the communication unit226 of the digital camera 200 using a USB cable, and data is exchangedbetween the two through communication based on the PTP (Picture TransferProtocol) standard.

Meanwhile, a program that enables communication with the digital camera200 based on the PTP standard is installed in the HDD 103 of thecomputer 100 in the present embodiment. Image data is furthermoreassumed to be saved in the HDD 103, or saved in advance in the recordingunits 242 and 243. The image data in the HDD 103 and the image data sentfrom the digital camera 200 to the computer 100 is loaded into the RAM102, and is then displayed by the CPU 101. In this manner, the computer100, serving as an information processing apparatus, functions as animage processing apparatus.

Furthermore, the present embodiment assumes an image processingapparatus capable of playing back Exif JPEG images generated by shootingperformed by the digital camera. Although the descriptions primarilydiscuss thumbnail images of the images being acquired and displayed, theconcept of the present embodiment can also be applied in the case whereExif information of the image files is acquired and displayed instead ofthe thumbnail images. “Exif information” refers to information based onthe EXIF standard included in the header of the image file; suchinformation includes the number of pixels of the image, the shootingdate and time, and so on.

(Interface of the Image Processing Apparatus)

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of theimage processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The image processing apparatus of the present embodiment is assumed tobe capable of displaying the images located in the computer 100 and theimages located within the digital camera 200. Furthermore, a view inwhich thumbnail images corresponding to the image files stored in thedigital camera 200 are arranged is called a first view, whereas a viewin which thumbnail images corresponding to the image files stored in thecomputer 100 are arranged is called a second view.

Reference number 401 refers to a view displaying the images saved in thecomputer 100 (the second view). The second view 401 is configured in atwo-pane structure that includes two areas:

-   -   one pane has an area for displaying a preview image 402 (a        preview display area), which is a display format that displays        images at a large size, and is thus suitable for confirming the        details of images; and    -   the other pane has an area for displaying multiple thumbnail        images 403 (a thumbnail image display area), which is a display        format suitable for browsing multiple images at a time.

Reference number 402 refers to a preview image. “Preview image” refersto a single image, selected from a group of images within the devicethat are to be displayed, to be displayed at the maximum size allowed bythe preview display area.

Reference number 403 refers to thumbnail images. “Thumbnail image”refers to a display format in which images in the device that are to bedisplayed (played back) are displayed at a small size. The presentembodiment assumes an operation for displaying images to be displayed inthe thumbnail display region in order, starting with older shootingdates and times and progressing to newer shooting dates and times.

Reference number 404 refers to a date display. The thumbnail images 403are categorized by the date indicated in the date display 404, and thethumbnail images corresponding to a particular date are displayed in theappropriate date category.

Reference number 405 refers to a scroller. The scroller 405 is displayedin the case where the thumbnail images 403 do not fit within the displayarea of the second view 401. By sliding the scroller 405 using thepointing device 110, hidden thumbnail images can be displayed.

In the present embodiment, when an arbitrary thumbnail image is selectedusing the pointing device 110, a preview image of the selected image isdisplayed as the preview image 402.

Reference number 406 refers to a view switch button. The images saved inthe computer 100 are displayed in the second view 401, but this buttonis used when the user wishes to switch to the view that displays theimages saved in the digital camera 200 (a first view 407).

Reference number 407 refers to the view for displaying the images savedin the digital camera. Like the second view 401, the first view 407 isconfigured in a two-pane structure.

Reference number 408 refers to a preview image. Reference number 409refers to a thumbnail image. Reference number 410 refers to a datedisplay. Reference number 411 refers to a scroller. The details of theseitems are the same as those of the second view 401 that displays theimages Stored in the PC.

Reference number 412 refers to a view switch button. The first view 407is a view for displaying the images saved in the digital camera 200, butthis button is used when the user wishes to switch to the view thatdisplays the images saved in the computer 100.

Note that although the present embodiment assumes a scheme in which theview is switched by pressing the view switch buttons 406 and 412, ascheme in which a view switch button is not provided and both views aredisplayed simultaneously may also be used.

(Sequence up to Display of Images Saved in Computer)

Next, a sequence according to the present embodiment, extending up untilthe images saved in the computer are displayed, shall be described. FIG.5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for displaying images saved inthe computer according to the present embodiment.

In Step S501, the image processing application (an application for imageprocessing, including image display) is started up. In the presentembodiment, the computer 100 functions as the image processing apparatusof the present embodiment by its CPU 101 executing a program that hasbeen loaded, along with programs and image data and so on recorded inthe HDD 103, into the RAM 102. Furthermore, the paths of the areas inwhich the image data to be displayed in the image display device aresaved are registered in advance, and the appropriate paths areautomatically loaded each time the device starts up. In the presentembodiment, the paths of the areas in which the images are saved arefixed, but the images to be displayed may be changed by the userspecifying the file paths of images while the image processing apparatusis started up.

In Step S502, the CPU 101 acquires the image header (also sometimescalled simply a “header”) of the image to be displayed. Here,descriptions shall be provided regarding the image header itself and amethod for acquiring the image header, with reference to FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, reference number 600 refers to a JPEG (Joint PhotographicExperts Group) file, made up of an image header 601 and a body 602.Additional information, such as information regarding the image datastored in the file, is stored in the image header 601, whereas the imagedata itself is stored in the body 602. In addition, informationregarding the number of pixels of the image, the shooting date and time,and a thumbnail image showing the body image at a reduced size are alsostored in the image header 601 based on the Exif standard. A file entry603 is a set of parameters described in the file system. The file entry603 indicates file entry portions of the JPEG file 600, and isinformation recorded in a management area of the recording medium forperforming file management. The following can be stored in the fileentry 603 as its constituent elements: a file name; the creation dateand time of the file; the last update date and time of the file; fileattributes; the file size; and so on. Note that although the presentembodiment discusses a JPEG-format file as an example of the image file,the same descriptions apply to other image, moving image, and audiofiles as long as those files have a similar structure.

In Step S502, the image header 601, described above, is acquired.

Then, in Step S503, the CPU 101 acquires the shooting date and time fromthe image header 601. As described earlier, the shooting date and timeis recorded in the image header, and only this shooting date and timeinformation is acquired from the image header.

In Step S504, the CPU 101 uses the shooting date and time acquired inStep S503 to sort the images by their shooting date and time. In thepresent embodiment, a process for sorting the images to be played backin descending order, from old shooting dates and times to new shootingdates and times, is performed. Any known algorithm may be used as thesorting algorithm. Examples include bubble-sort and heap-sort. Thesesorting algorithms are well-known and thus descriptions thereof shall beomitted.

In Step S505, the CPU 101 generates a shooting date and time list. FIG.7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of theshooting date and time list, serving as a second sorting result. Becausesorting the image data itself is inefficient, in the present embodiment,IDs are prepared in advance for the images to be played back; the imageIDs and shooting dates and times are associated with each other anddisplayed as a list. The file name, for example, can be used as theimage ID.

In Step S506, the CPU 101 determines the thumbnail images necessary fordisplay from the date and time list, and acquires those thumbnails byreading them out from the HDD 103. Although the CPU 101 sorts all theimages that are to be displayed in Step S505, the number of thumbnailimages that can actually be displayed in the second view 401 is limited.Accordingly, only the thumbnail images that will fit in the imagedisplay area of the second view 401 are acquired in Step S506. Note thatthe image included in the image header acquired in Step S502 is used asthe thumbnail image.

In Step S507, the CPU 101 displays the thumbnail image acquired in StepS506 in the thumbnail display area of the second view 401 in the ordercorresponding to the shooting date and time. Finally, in Step S508, theCPU 101 displays one of the thumbnail images acquired in Step S506 inthe preview display area of the second view 401 as the preview image,after which the process ends.

The above is a description of a sequence performed up until an image isdisplayed in the view for displaying images saved in the computer 100.

(Sequence up to Display of Images Saved in Digital Camera)

Next, a sequence extending up until the images saved in the digitalcamera 200 are displayed in the image processing apparatus of thepresent embodiment shall be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchartillustrating a process by which the image processing apparatus of thepresent embodiment displays the images saved in the digital camera.

In Step S801, the image processing application (an application for imageprocessing, including image display) is started up. As described above,in the present embodiment, the computer 100 functions as the imageprocessing apparatus of the present embodiment by its CPU 101 executinga program that has been recorded in the HDD 103, and loaded into the RAM102. The following is a description of a process performed in the casewhere images saved in the digital camera 200 that is connected to thecomputer 100 are displayed on the computer 100.

In Step S802, the CPU 101 acquires object information within the digitalcamera 200. The folder tree structure of the recording units 242 and 243of the digital camera 200, information of the images saved in thosefolders, and so on are acquired in this step.

In Step S803, the CPU 101 makes a request to the digital camera 200 forthe updated date and time of the images to be displayed in the imageprocessing apparatus. In step S803, the computer 100 requests thedigital camera 200 for the updated date and time of the file entry 603,based on the PTP standard. In response to this request, the digitalcamera 200 sends the updated date and time from the file entry 603 tothe computer. Note that as described with reference to FIG. 6, the fileentry 603 is a set of parameters described in the file system within thedigital camera 200, and is managed separately from the JPEG file (imagefile).

In Step S804, the CPU 101 acquires the updated date and time describedin the file entries 603 from the digital camera 200. In Step S804, theupdated date and time information sent from the digital camera in StepS803 is received by the computer 100, based on the PTP standard.

In Step S805, the CPU 101 sorts the images in order, by their updateddates and times. In the present embodiment, a process for sorting theimages to be played back in descending order, from old updated dates andtimes to new updated dates and times, is performed. Any known algorithmmay be used as the sorting algorithm. Examples include bubble sortingand heap sorting. These sorting algorithms are well-known and thusdescriptions thereof shall be omitted.

In Step S806, the CPU 101 generates an updated date and time list suchas that shown in, for example, FIG. 9, as the first sorting result. Inorder to sort the image data itself, it is necessary to receive theimage data from the digital camera 200; because this is extremelyinefficient, image IDs are prepared in advance for each image based onthe acquired object information, and the image IDs and updated dates andtimes are associated with each other and displayed as a list. The filename, for example, can be used as the image ID.

In Step S807, the CPU 101 makes a request to the digital camera 200 forthe image headers necessary for image display. In this step, the CPU 101requests that the digital camera 200 send, to the computer 100, theimage header 601 of the JPEG file for the image that is to be displayedin the device, based on the PTP standard. Note that because the numberof thumbnail images that can actually be displayed in the thumbnaildisplay area of the first view 407 is limited, only the thumbnail imagesthat will fit in the thumbnail display area are acquired here.

In Step S808, the CPU 101 acquires the image header requested in StepS807 from the digital camera 200. In this step, the image header sentfrom the digital camera 200 is received by the computer 100, based onthe PTP standard.

In Step S809, the CPU 101 displays the thumbnail image in the thumbnaildisplay area of the first view 407 in the order corresponding to theupdated date and time. In other words, the CPU 101 performs a processfor displaying the thumbnail image included in the image header acquiredin Step S808 in the thumbnail display area of the first view 407.

Finally, in Step S810, the CPU 101 displays one of the multiplethumbnail images, displayed in the thumbnail display area, in thepreview display area of the second view 401 as the preview image, afterwhich the process ends.

Although not explicitly described here, it should be noted that in thepresent embodiment, the CPU 101 makes a request to the digital camera200 for the image headers of images that could not be displayed in thethumbnail display area and acquires those image headers upon the processending at Step S810. In such a manner, display preparations are made forthe case where those images have entered the display area through themanipulation of the scroller 411. This series of processes is executedin the background.

The above is a description of a sequence performed up until an image isdisplayed in the first view 407 for displaying images saved in thedigital camera 200.

As described thus far, according to the present embodiment, in the casewhere images saved in the digital camera are to be sorted in order bytheir shooting dates and times and displayed, the updated dates andtimes in the file entries are used for the sorting, rather than theshooting dates and times described in the image headers. The file entryinformation can be sent from the digital camera to the computer at ahigher speed than the information included in the image header. For thisreason, according to the present embodiment, when sorting images savedin the digital camera in order by their shooting dates and times anddisplaying those images, the sorting process can be carried out quickly,and the images can be displayed.

Note that the updated date and time and the shooting date and timeessentially match at the time of shooting, which can be given as areason why the updated dates and times of the images saved in thedigital camera can be substituted for the shooting dates and times.Furthermore, because there are few cases where the digital camera 200updates files of images it has captured, there are also situations wherethe updated dates and times are not changed after the time of shooting.However, it is highly likely that images saved in a computer will bedisplayed and edited by multiple programs, resulting in mismatchesbetween the updated dates and times and shooting dates and times offiles; accordingly, using the updated date and time as a substitute forthe shooting date and time is unreliable. Furthermore, the process foracquiring the header of an image saved in the computer takescomparatively less time than the process for acquiring the header of animage saved in the digital camera, and therefore the shooting date andtime results are used for images saved in the computer.

(Processing for when Updated Date and Time and Shooting Date and Time donot Match (Update when Changing Display Area))

The embodiment as described thus far assumes a case in which imagessaved in the digital camera have not been updated since they wereoriginally shot; however, a case in which some sort of editing has beenperformed on the images stored in the camera can also be considered. Inthis case, performing the processing according to the embodiment asdescribed thus far will result in a problem in which the results ofsorting by updated date and time differ from the results of sorting byshooting date and time. The following describes a process conceived forthe case where such images are saved in the camera.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of images savedin the digital camera 200. As shown in FIG. 10, the shooting dates andtimes and updated dates and times of IMG_0001 and IMG_0004 differ.Accordingly, if the images are sorted in order from the oldest to thenewest images based on the shooting dates and times, IMG_0001, IMG_0002,IMG_0003, IMG_0004, and IMG_0005 will be displayed in that order.However, if the images are sorted in order from the oldest to the newestimages based on the updated dates and times, IMG_0002, IMG_0003,IMG_0005, IMG_0001, and IMG_0004 will be displayed in that order.Therefore, the process illustrated in FIG. 11 is performed to avoid sucha situation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed in the casewhere the sorting results based on the updated date and time and theshooting date and time, respectively, do not match. Note that theprocess illustrated in this flowchart is assumed to be carried out afterthe process illustrated in FIG. 8 has ended.

In Step S1101, the CPU 101 acquires the shooting date and time from theimage header. Here, the image header acquired when the thumbnail imageof the image saved in the digital camera 200 was acquired in theflowchart of FIG. 8 is analyzed, and the shooting date and time isacquired.

In Step S1102, the CPU 101 compares the shooting date and time of theimage file acquired in Step S1101 with the updated date and time of thatimage file as acquired in Step S804 of FIG. 8. In Step S1103, the CPU101 ends the process without further action in the case where theresults of the comparison indicate that the shooting date and time andthe updated date and time are the same.

However, in the case where the results of the comparison performed inStep S1103 indicate that the updated date and time and the shooting dateand time are not the same, the process advances to Step S1104. In StepS1104, the CPU 101 sorts the images again in order of their shootingdates and times. In other words, the date and time list (see FIG. 9)generated in Step S806 of FIG. 8 is updated.

In Step S1105, the CPU 101 determines whether the display area has beenchanged. In the case where an image located in the non-displayed area ofthe display device is shifted to the displayed area, the display orderof the images is changed in Step S1106 based on the results of thesorting performed again in Step S1104. Note that in the case where theimages displayed in the display area at the time of the determination inStep S1105 are first moved to the non-displayed area and are thenreturned to the displayed area, those images are displayed in theshooting date and time order. This is to avoid imparting a sense ofunnaturalness to the user caused by a sudden change in the order of thedisplayed images.

By performing the process as described above, in the present embodiment,it is possible to change the order in which images are displayed in theshooting date and time order even in the case where the updated datesand times and shooting dates and times of the images stored in thecamera do not match, without imparting a sense of unnaturalness.

(Processing for when Updated Date and Time and Shooting Date and Time donot Match (Update when Changing View))

In the embodiment as described thus far, the result of sorting theshooting dates and times again was applied using the timing at which theimage display area was updated as a trigger, but the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, because the present embodiment isconfigured so that the display can be switched between the PC view (thesecond view 401) and the camera view (the first view 407), it is alsopossible to use such a view switch as a trigger. For example, in thecase where the user is manipulating the PC view, the images displayed inthe camera view can be sorted again through a background process, andthe result of this sorting can be applied to the image display whenswitching from the PC view to the camera view. Such a structure makes itpossible to avoid problems in the case where the updated dates and timesdiffer from the shooting dates and times.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process that applies the result ofsorting again in response to the view being switched, performed in thecase where the updated date and time order and the shooting date andtime order do not match. Note that the process illustrated in thisflowchart is assumed to be carried out after the process illustrated inFIG. 8 has ended. Furthermore, the following process is performed in thebackground while the user browses the images displayed in the PC view(the second view 401), after the process of FIG. 8 has ended and theview switch button 412 has been pressed.

First, in Step S1201, the CPU 101 acquires the shooting date and timefrom the image header. Because the headers of the images stored in thedigital camera 200 have already been acquired in Step S808 of FIG. 8,the CPU 101 analyzes those image headers, and acquires the shootingdates and times.

In Step S1202, the shooting dates and times acquired in Step S1201 arecompared with the updated dates and times of the image files as acquiredin Step S804 in FIG. 8. In Step S1203, the process ends without furtheraction in the case where the results of the comparison indicate that thedates and times are the same.

However, in the case where the updated dates and times and the shootingdates and times are not the same, the process advances to Step S1204. InStep S1204, the CPU 101 sorts the images again in order of theirshooting dates and times. In other words, the date and time list (seeFIG. 9) generated in Step S806 of FIG. 8 is updated.

In Step S1205, the CPU 101 determines whether the view switch button 412has been pressed and the view has been changed to the camera view. Inthe case where the display of the image processing apparatus has beenchanged to the camera view, the process advances to Step S1206. In StepS1206, the CPU 101 changes the display order of the images based on theresult of the sorting performed in Step S1204, and displays thumbnailsin the thumbnail display area in accordance with the changed displayorder.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating display processes for the PC viewand the camera view according to the present embodiment as describedthus far. In Step S1301, when the image display process is started bythe computer 100, the CPU 101 performs the PC view (second view 401)display through the process illustrated in FIG. 5. Then, in Step S1302,the CPU 101 determines whether or not the view switch button 406 hasbeen operated. If the view switch button 406 has not been operated, thePC view display is continued according to the process of FIG. 5. In thecase where the scroller 405 is manipulated during the PC view display,the display in the thumbnail display area is changed in accordance withthe list shown in FIG. 7. This is to avoid imparting a sense ofunnaturalness to the user caused by a sudden change in the order of thedisplayed images.

If, however, the view switch button 406 has been operated, the processadvances to Step S1303, where the CPU 101 commences the camera view(first view 407) display illustrated in FIG. 8. Note that the processesof Steps S801 to S807 shown in FIG. 8 may be executed in the backgroundwhile the PC view display of Step S1301 is being performed. Then, inStep S1304, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the view switch button412 has been operated. If the view switch button 412 has not beenoperated, the camera view display is continued through the processingshown in FIG. 8. In the case where the scroller 411 is manipulatedduring the camera view display, the display in the thumbnail displayarea is updated in accordance with the list shown in FIG. 9.

The processing shown in FIG. 13 ends when an end operation has been madeto end the image display process. Note that in the process of FIG. 8,the header information of the image file is acquired, and the body ofthe image file is then acquired when the thumbnail thereof has beenspecified. Alternatively, the bodies of the image files can be acquiredsequentially after the header information of all the image files hasbeen acquired.

By performing the process as described above, in the present embodiment,it is possible to change the order in which images are displayed in theshooting date and time order even in the case where the updated datesand times and shooting dates and times of the images stored in thedigital camera do not match, without imparting a sense of unnaturalness.

As described thus far, according to the above embodiment, in an imageprocessing apparatus capable of browsing images saved in a computer andimages saved in a digital camera, the following is performed:

-   -   the images saved in the computer are sorted in shooting date and        time order; and    -   the images saved in the digital camera are sorted in updated        date and time order of the image file (that is, the sorting in        shooting date and time order is replaced with sorting in updated        date and time order). Such a configuration makes it possible to        sort the images saved in the digital camera at high speed as        well and display the results of the sorting.

In other words, according to the above-described embodiment, usinginformation of the updated date and time when sorting images saved inthe digital camera in shooting date and time order makes it possible toomit the procedures for acquiring the image data, analyzing the Exifinformation, and so on. As a result, it is possible to execute thesorting process, the image display process, and so on at high speed.Furthermore, in the case where there are images saved in the digitalcamera for which the updated dates and times and shooting dates andtimes do not match, it is possible to apply the sort results to theimage display without imparting a sense of unnaturalness to the user.

Note that although still image data is given as an example of the imagefiles in the above-described embodiment, the image files may be movingimage data. Therefore, the digital camera 200 maybe either a digitalstill camera or a digital video camera.

Other Embodiments

Although the above embodiment describes a configuration that switchesbetween the first view and the second view, as shown in FIG. 4, theinvention is not limited to such a screen configuration. For example, asshown in FIG. 14, a first area 1401, displaying images stored in thedigital camera, and a second area 1402, displaying the images stored inthe computer, may be displayed.

As described thus far, according to the present invention, the speed ofa sorting process for image files within a camera is increased, therebyreducing the difference in speed between that sorting process and asorting process for image files within a PC.

Note that the case where the functionality of the abovementionedembodiment is achieved by directly or remotely supplying a softwareprogram to a system or device and reading out and executing the suppliedprogram code through a computer in the system or device is included inthe scope of the present invention. In this case, the supplied programis a computer program that corresponds to the flowchart indicated in thedrawings in the embodiment.

Accordingly, the program code itself, installed in a computer so as torealize the functional processing of the present invention through acomputer, also realizes the present invention. In other words, thecomputer program itself, for realizing the functional processing of thepresent invention, is also included within the scope of the presentinvention.

In this case, object code, a program executed through an interpreter,script data supplied to an OS, or the like may be used, as long as ithas the functions of the program.

Examples of the a computer readable storage medium that can be used tosupply the computer program include Floppy® disks, hard disks, opticaldisks, magneto-optical disks, MOs, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magnetictape, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs (DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs).

Using a browser of a client computer to connect to an Internet web pageand downloading the computer program of the present invention to astorage medium such as a hard disk can be given as another method forsupplying the program. In this case, the downloaded program may be acompressed file including a function for automatic installation.Furthermore, this method may be realized by dividing the program codethat makes up the program of the present invention into a plurality offiles and downloading each file from different web pages. In otherwords, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download theprogram files for realizing the functional processing of the presentinvention through a computer also falls within the scope of the presentinvention.

Furthermore, the program of the present invention may be encrypted,stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users.In this case, a user that has cleared a predetermined condition isallowed to download decryption key information from a web page via theInternet, use the key information to decrypt the program, and installthe program on a computer.

Also, in addition to execution via loading of a program using acomputer, the functions of the present embodiment may be realizedthrough cooperation with an OS or the like running on the computer basedon instructions of the program. In this case, the OS or the likeperforms part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of theabove-described embodiment are realized by that processing.

Furthermore, part or all of the functionality of the aforementionedembodiment may be written into a memory provided in a function expansionboard installed in the computer, a function expansion unit connected tothe computer, or the like, into which the program read out from thestorage medium is written. In this case, after the program has beenwritten into the function expansion board or the function expansionunit, a CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or thefunction expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processingbased on the instructions of the program.

While the present invention has been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiment. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos.2008-013090, filed Jan. 23, 2008 and 2009-001109, filed Jan. 6, 2009,which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus capable ofcommunicating with an external apparatus, the information processingapparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control theinformation processing apparatus, wherein the control unit performs: afirst obtaining step of obtaining, from the external apparatus, aplurality of first image data each included in a first image file storedin a storage medium of the external apparatus; a second obtaining stepof obtaining information of the first image files from a management areaof the storage medium of the external apparatus; a first readout step ofreading out a plurality of second image data each included in a secondimage file stored in a storage medium of the information processingapparatus; and a second readout step of reading out an information ofthe second image data from header of the second image file; and anoutput step of outputting a first view that outputs the plurality offirst image data obtained from the external apparatus, and a second viewthat outputs the plurality of second image data read out from thestorage medium of the information processing apparatus; wherein theplurality of first image data are outputted in an order based on theinformation of the first image files from the management area of thestorage medium of the external apparatus in response to start ofoutputting the first view in the output step, and the plurality ofsecond image data are outputted in an order based on the information ofthe second image files from header of the second image files in responseto start of outputting the second view in the output step.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit furtherperforms a switching step of switching between outputting the first viewand outputting the second view in accordance with a user's operation. 3.The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in the output step, thecontrol unit re-outputs the plurality of first image data in an orderbased not on the information of the first image files obtained from themanagement area of the storage medium of the external apparatus butrather on information stored in a header of the first image files in acase where an instruction has been made to switch from the second viewto the first view.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, inthe second obtaining step, the information of the first image files isobtained before the plurality of first image data are obtained in thefirst obtaining step; and in the first obtaining step, the control unitobtains the first image data in an order based on the information of thefirst image files obtained in the second obtaining step.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit furtherperforms a comparing step of comparing the information of the firstimage files stored in the storage medium of the external apparatusobtained in the second obtaining step with information stored in aheader of the first image files, wherein in the output step, the controlunit outputs the first view in an order based on the information storedin a header of the first image files in a case where a result of acomparison performed in the comparing step indicates that theinformation of the first image files obtained from the management areaof the storage medium of the external apparatus differs from theinformation stored in the header of the first image files.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the output step, the controlunit re-outputs the plurality of first image data in an order based noton the information of the first image files obtained from the managementarea of the storage medium of the external apparatus but rather oninformation stored in a header of the first image files when the outputof the plurality of first image data is updated based on a user'soperation in the first view.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the management area is an entry of the storage medium of theexternal apparatus.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theimage processing apparatus and the external apparatus are connected bywired communication.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theimage processing apparatus and the external apparatus are connected viaUSB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.
 10. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus areconnected by wireless communication.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus and the externalapparatus are connected in accordance with IEEE802.11.
 12. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein communication between the image processingapparatus and the external apparatus is performed in accordance with PTP(Picture Transfer Protocol).
 13. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the management area is an area other than an area where theimage file managed by a file system is recorded.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein, in the second readout step, the controlunit reads out the information of the second image data from Exif area,wherein the Exif area is an area existing within the header of thesecond image file.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereininformation of the first image files recorded in the management areaincludes at least one of a name of the first image file, shooting time,update time, and file size.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the external apparatus is an image capturing device.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image data is recordedin a header of the first image file, and the second image data isrecorded in a header of the second image file.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the information of the first image filerecorded in the management area includes update time and the informationof the second image file recorded in the header of the second image fileincludes shooting time.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe output unit comprises a display unit, and the output unit outputsthe image data by displaying the first and second image data.
 20. Acontrol method for an information processing apparatus capable ofcommunicating with an external apparatus, the method comprising: a firstobtaining step, by a control unit configured to control the informationprocessing apparatus, of obtaining, from the external apparatus, aplurality of first image data each included in a first image file storedin a storage medium of the external apparatus; a second obtaining step,by a control unit configured to control the information processingapparatus, of obtaining information of the first image files from amanagement area of the storage medium of the external apparatus; a firstreading step, by a control unit configured to control the informationprocessing apparatus, of reading out a plurality of second image dataeach included in a second image file stored in a storage medium of theinformation processing apparatus; and a second reading step, by acontrol unit configured to control the information processing apparatus,of reading out an information of the second image data from header ofthe second image file; and a output step, by a control unit configuredto control the information processing apparatus, of outputting a firstview that outputs the plurality of first image data obtained in thefirst obtaining step from the external apparatus, and a second view thatoutput s the plurality of second image data read out in the firstreading step from the storage medium of the information processingapparatus; wherein the plurality of first image data are outputted in anorder based on the information of the first image files from themanagement area of the storage medium of the external apparatus inresponse to start of outputting the first view in the output step, andthe plurality of second image data are outputted in an order based onthe information of the second image files from header of the secondimage files in response to start of outputting the second view in theoutput step.
 21. A non-transitory storage medium in which is stored acomputer-readable program for causing a computer to execute the controlmethod of claim 20.